Top cars scoop Aussie gongs

Mazda has become the second most successful marque in the Wheels Car of the Year award after its CX-30 took out the 2021 title.

The Australian award has been running for more than 50 years and is the world’s longest continuously running motoring accolade for automotive excellence.

Dylan Campbell, editor of Wheels Magazine, says the Mazda CX-30 is a “delightful car” and performed strongly against all the criteria for the top prize.

“It’s well-engineered, thoughtfully designed and with a luxuriously appointed interior for the price,” he explains.

“It goes to show if you need a family car, you don’t need to buy a four-wheeled refrigerator. The CX-30 is a car you would always look forward to driving.

“This is Mazda’s ninth Car of the Year win, making it the second most successful manufacturer at our award behind only Holden.”

There were 52 models initially shortlisted for the 2021 award before the field was whittled down to a top 10 of the Audi e-tron, BMW 4 Series, Ford Escape, Ford Puma, Mazda CX-30, Genesis GV80, Kia Sorento, Land Rover Defender, Mercedes-Benz GLB and Toyota Yaris.

Those leading vehicles were then judged for function, technology, efficiency, value and safety.

“Our judges spend a week with our shortlisted cars, evaluating them against these criteria, before we pick a winner,” Campbell adds. “And even though it was a unanimous decision, this year was one of the hardest years on record on pick our number one.”

Performance winner

The Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro has emerged victorious in the battle across the ditch to be named Motor’s Performance Car of the Year 2021.

Australia’s leading performance car award has been described as one of the closest and most hard-fought on-track and tarmac battles in the event’s 25-year history.

The award saw 10 finalists put through their paces over four days at Winton Raceway and the surrounding roads of Victoria’s high country.

Judges evaluated each vehicle’s performance, dynamics, accessibility, liveability, value and X-factor, while former V8 Supercar driver Karl Reindler also posted a timed flying-lap for each contender at Winton.

The contenders were the Audi R8 V10 Performance, Audi RS6 Avant, BMW M550i xDrive, Ford Fiesta ST, Herrod SM17, Mercedes-AMG A45 S, Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro, Porsche Cayman GTS, Porsche 911 Turbo S and the Toyota Yaris GR.

Andy Enright, editor of Motor, says: “The Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro won because it was the cleverest car on test. Despite being only the fifth most powerful of the 10 contenders, it was easily the quickest around Winton. 

“It was also the best-riding of all the AMG GT line on road, offers guaranteed exclusivity and is shot through with charisma and presence. The trick adjustable suspension system is next-level.”